Eating Disorders 

Eating Disorders are characterized by a disturbance in eating. Some people over eat, others under eat or restrict food intake, while many over exercise or use diuretics as a way of managing their weight. Actually, this isn’t as much about managing one’s weight as it is a poor body image. There are several types of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by a refusal to eat that leads to a below normal body weight. I have often seen an increase in exercise in conjunction with the withholding of food. If diagnosed with Anorexia, cognitivebehavioral treatment can be successful with the close supervision of your medical doctor.

Bulimia is characterized by repeated binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise. Most clients that I have treated with Bulimia are at normal weight or a bit over weight.

A third category that I have worked with for over a decade, but is not in the official eating disorders category is obesity. Many obese clients find working on underlying emotional issues, assist them in no longer using food and weight as a crutch. Binge eating to when anxious or to avoid an anxiety provoking task, is often a topic we address in counseling.